SCHEDULE 2 - FLAT RATE SEWER PROGRAM PROCEDURE
1.
Scope. The purpose of this program is to allow an alternate method of establishing a sewer charge in accordance with Chapter 34, Article III, Division 4, Section 34-226, of the San Antonio City Code and is intended for General Customers.
2.
General Requirements. The Flat Rate Program is available upon request to any general user who uses water in their daily activities which is not discharged into the sewer system. The Program provides that a flat rate sewer account may be established for any general user upon determination by Customer Service that the costs to administer the account would not exceed the projected annual savings to the general user. The flat rate sewer account will be maintained until such time as Customer Service may determine that the costs to administer the account exceed the annual savings to the user.
The program depends on the cooperation of customers to keep the System informed of any changes, defects or required repairs. The System will generally allow a 30-day period for correction of any problem. However, it is the customer's responsibility to ensure that the meters are functioning properly and that all requirements in submitting reports are met.
The System reserves the right to conduct periodic "unannounced" site inspections.
The three (3) acceptable options for businesses wishing to choose an alternate method of establishing a sewer charge are:
a.
installation of separate "internal" water meter(s) for the purpose of measuring water uses which is not discharged into the sewer system,
b.
submission of an engineering report once every two (2) years, or as required by the System outlining water consumption and its uses,
c.
installation of a wastewater metering device which will measure the amount of wastewater being discharged into the sewer system.
3.
Separate "Internal" Water Meter(s)—Specific Requirements. Separate internal water meter(s) may be installed for the purpose of measuring water consumption due to the use of a well or to measure a reduction of sewer flow due to the use of water in a production process, cooling tower, sprinkler system, etc. The number of submeters installed will be approved according to the specific type of business.
a.
Meter Requirements.
(1)
Meter Case. The main case shall be solid with removable top or bottom design and shall be constructed so that the main case (including meter spuds) will withstand internal pressure and external stress to eliminate distortion, cracking and breaking, which will cause leakage, damage to other components, or interfere with the proper operation of the meter in general.
The serial number of the meter shall be imprinted on the outer case as well as on the register box cover.
(2)
Meter Registers. The meter register shall be a "sealed register" type with straight reading indicator, a minimum of six numbered wheels (dials), and shall indicate reading in gallons or cubic feet.
As used in these specifications, the term "sealed register" shall mean a register that is tamper resistant, factory-sealed, non-shop-repairable, hermetically sealed against fogging, moisture and corrosion, and mechanically disconnected from the measuring components.
The lens shall be of high strength, heat tested glass to minimize breakage.
The register shall be secured to the meter case with a tamper-proof locking device provided and installed by the System.
b.
Submittal of Initial Application. Prior to the establishment of a flat rate account, an application must be submitted to Customer Service requesting preliminary approval to establish a flat rate account.
c.
Submittal of Monthly Readings. The customer's monthly meter readings, read in conjunction with the water purveyor's monthly readings of the main water meter, shall be submitted within ten (10) days of the meter readings; customer shall submit only actual meter readings, and not conversions of readings to volume. Once the System has compiled six (6) consecutive months of acceptable meter readings, an average monthly usage will be determined. This average will be used to calculate the customer's sewer charge. The System will implement this new monthly average and adjust the previous six (6) months, which will result in a retroactive debit or credit to the customer's sewer bill. This same billing basis will be applied to the next six (6) months. This procedure of analyzing 6 months of meter reading data will continue until the System is advised of a change in the customer's operations that will affect the basis of calculating the customer's sewer charge.
In the event the monthly meter readings are not submitted in a timely manner as set out herein or an unacceptable meter reading is submitted, the customer will be granted 30 days to explain the reasons, submit corrected readings or make any repairs or replacements of the meter(s). Should the customer fail to respond within the 30 day period, the customer may be removed from the Flat Rate Program, and the System's regular sewer charge will apply thereafter.
4.
Engineering Reports—Specific Requirements. When a flat rate basis is determined by a report submitted by a Registered Professional Engineer the recommendations of this report will be reviewed and evaluated. If the recommendations are accepted then an acceptance letter will be mailed to the customer. Adjustments will be made retroactive to the date that the engineering report is dated provided it is in this office in a timely manner. The engineering report should include the following information:
• The water purveyor account number(s) affected.
• Type of business.
• Number of employees.
• Number of operational days per month.
• Number of operational hours per day.
• Any pertinent data relating to the business.
A flow study should be conducted using one of the two available methods for measuring flows. These alternate methods are as follows:
a.
If the intent of the engineering report is to obtain a credit for the amount of water used for irrigation, then all irrigation should cease for a period of 14 days while daily incoming meter readings are gathered. The readings should be averaged, then annualized and compared to the previous 12 months of water consumption to arrive at a recommended flat rate percentage.
b.
If the intent of the engineering report is to receive credit for cooling tower, evaporative loss, or other non-sewer creating functions, a 14 day wastewater flow metering should be conducted to measure the amount of wastewater being discharged. This amount should be compiled on a daily basis over the 14 days, then annualized and compared to the previous 12 months of water consumption to arrive at a recommended flat rate percentage.
c.
Assumptions for determining discharged flow for a cooling tower can be calculated by using cooling tower specifications. Also, process water can be calculated based on the number of products produced, etc. This information must be very detailed, annualized and compared to the actual water consumption for the preceding 12 months.
5.
Wastewater Metering—Specific Requirements. A flat rate account may also be established through the use of a permanent wastewater metering device.
a.
Submittal of Initial Application. Prior to the establishment of a flat rate account, an application must be submitted to Customer Service requesting preliminary approval to establish a flat rate account.
b.
Submittal of Monthly Readings. The customer's monthly meter readings, read in conjunction with the water purveyor's monthly readings of the main water meter shall be submitted within ten (10) days of the meter readings; customer shall submit only actual meter readings, and not conversions of readings to volume. Once the System has compiled six (6) consecutive months of acceptable meter readings, an average monthly usage will be determined. This average will be used to calculate the customer's sewer charge. The System will implement this new monthly average and adjust the previous six (6) months, which will result in a retroactive debit or credit to the customer's sewer bill. This same billing basis will be applied to the next six (6) months. This procedure of analyzing six (6) months of meter reading data will continue until the System is advised of a change in the customer's operations that will affect the basis of calculating the customer's sewer charge.
In the event the monthly meter readings are not submitted in a timely manner as set out herein or an unacceptable meter reading is submitted, the customer will be granted 30 days to explain the reasons, submit corrected readings or make any repairs or replacements of the meter(s). Should the customer fail to respond within the 30 day period, the customer may be removed from the Flat Rate Program, and the System's regular sewer charge will apply thereafter.
6.
Private Water Well(s)—Specific Requirements. A flat rate sewer billing account, established for the purpose of setting the amount of the monthly sewer billing based on the amount of the well(s) water consumption, shall require the following:
a.
Submittal of Initial Application. Prior to the establishment of the account, an application must be submitted to Customer Service requesting preliminary approval to base the amount of the monthly sewer charge on the monthly meter consumption of the well(s).
b.
Submittal of Monthly Readings. The customer's monthly meter readings, read in conjunction with the water purveyor's monthly readings of the main water meter shall be submitted within ten (10) days of the meter readings; customer shall submit only actual meter readings and not conversions of readings to volume. Once the System has compiled six (6) consecutive months of acceptable meter readings, an average monthly usage will be determined. This average will be used to calculate the sewer charge. The System will implement this new monthly average and adjust the previous six (6) months, which will result in a retroactive debit or credit to the sewer bill. This same billing basis will be applied to the next six (6) months. This procedure of analyzing 6 months of meter reading data will continue until the System is advised of a change in the operations that will affect the basis of calculating the sewer charge.
In the event the monthly meter readings are not submitted in a timely manner as set out herein or an unacceptable meter reading is submitted, the customer will be granted 30 days to explain the reasons, submit corrected readings or make any repairs or replacements of the meter(s). Should the customer fail to respond within the 30 day period, the customer may be removed from the Flat Rate Program, and the System's regular sewer charge will apply thereafter.
(Ord. No. 80330, 6-16-94)